June 2014- My Birthday Month

June 2014 has been such a wonderful birthday month!  I am truly blessed. I am thankful. I just celebrated my birthday yesterday, Thursday, June 19th. 

Yesterday was special for so many reasons:

•      My day of birth

•      Juneteenth

•      National Martini Day

•      The last full day of Spring

This is how I celebrated my very busy June 19th  birthday:

• I was up early doing some work.  Getting ready for a big accreditation.

• Big time 30-minute powerwalk.

• I went into the office briefly to clear some items... no biggie.

• Headed to RCN to replace all of my old beaten down remotes! Now, that was a nice gift from me to me! LOL! I am just loving my new remotes!!!

• Then I headed out to Bronzeville to visit my sister.

• Then out to my favorite Walmart in Hammond, Ind and more fun while out there.

• Chatted with my son.

• Took care of all of my wonderful "Thank you's" on Facebook. It was so nice to receive all of the birthday messages. Had to take the time connect with everyone individually!

The weather was nice, warm, balmy, sunny and some rain. What a fabulous June weather day!

However, I now celebrate my birthday the entire month of June. This is how:

• Nice dinner program at the Hilton Chicago

• Nice dinner at the InterContinental Hotel on the Magnificent Mile

• Hosted fellowship at church.

• Jetted off to fabulous Las Vegas for 3 nights at Planet Hollywood.

• Attended a nice dinner at Morton's The Steakhouse in Naperville

• Had a small wonderful birthday luncheon with family and close friends where I served fine wines and pizza.

I have busy weekend coming up.  The upcoming week seems to wind down with one or two events and this wonderful birthday month of June comes to an end.

In conclusion, as I reflect on my life and birthday milestone, I am so very blessed and thankful.

• I continue a fitness program, that most folks my half my age could not even envision or consider.

• I am able to critically think, strategically plan and contribute to the success of my employer.

• I have a wonderful family, immediate and extended. So nice to see folks at my intimate gathering.

• I am thankful to be an active deacon in my church to help my pastor and others share the Good News of the saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

• I enjoy the balance of hard work and entertainment in my life. All work and no play makes Jan a BORE!!

• I appreciate the opportunities to travel extensively. Even  though it is solo travel, I am so skilled at that no-hassle approach.

• I am so thankful to be a registered nurse.  I always wanted to be an RN ever since I was a young little girl.

• I am happy to be a mother and have that important focus in my life.

• I am thankful for my roots in public housing. Our residence in Loomis Courts was wonderful.  I did not even know we were poor! I had wonderful friends from the area and Medill School.  We were driven!!!!  We knew education was the key to success! That area connected me to my life long churchand being a Lutheran for my entire life.  I am happy to be an original resident in the new Hilliard Homes.  We all were a unique and wonderful group of Chicagoans.

• I am happy for my current place in life. Nothing extravagant, just middle class, good security in my condo, nice neighborhood, ideal location and very pleasant.  But again, this is Chicago and I am always on the alert and vigilant.

• I am happy for the Internet connections.  Yes, Facebook has connected me to many folks I would have never reconnected.  I see a lot on Facebook.  Facebook reveals a lot of personalities while allowing for safe distancing.  I am learning a lot through others on Facebook.

Now it is time for me to open all of my birthday gifts and cards.